Monastery, NS
January 24, 1939 - October 17, 2024
With great sadness, we announce the loss of Charles Joseph Punch, 85, of Monastery, Antigonish County on October 17, 2024.
Charlie died peacefully while surrounded by his family after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer.
Charlie was born on January 24, 1939 and raised in Beauly, St. Andrews by his parents Catherine (Cameron) and Dan R. Punch. As an adult, he was fortunate to connect with his birth family in Drummondville, Quebec and Arichat, Cape Breton. Family, both biological and those connected by love, meant the world to him.
Dad was a man of great faith and had a very strong sense of community, providing many years of service to St. Peter’s Parish and Tracadie & District Volunteer Fire Department. Being a founding and lifetime member of the Fire Department was one of Charlie’s proudest accomplishments. Additionally, Charlie dedicated many volunteer hours to the St. Peter’s Parish Council, Holy Name Society, and Beaver’s Club. He was very generous with his time and always willing to help neighbours and friends in need, offering his carpentry skills, tools, or advice, whether it was solicited or not.
Charlie was incredibly hardworking and determined to provide the best life for his wife of 56 years, Katherine, and their three children, Dwayne, Jennifer, and Shauna. Since 1987, he dedicated himself to his carpentry trade after earning his certificate in carpentry and becoming a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union. He enjoyed his time spent in the woods harvesting Christmas trees and pulpwood from his property near his beloved camp in Beauly.
So many fond memories were made at the camp with family and friends over the years, including a 40-year annual hunting tradition with lots of whiskey and laughs. Dad loved fiddle and Newfoundland music. He and Mom could often be found at a Ceilidh, kitchen party, or Newfie Fever dance back in the day. More recently, he could often be found on his evening drive to the garage in Monastery to catch up on current events, or spending time in his garden, feeding the birds, or on his prized John Deere tractor.
Charlie is survived by his loving wife Katherine (Grant); children, Dwayne Punch, Monastery, and his children, Andrew and Rylee; Jennifer Punch (Paul Myette), Halifax, and their children, Aidan and Nora; Shauna Hachey (Jordan Hachey), Halifax, and their children, Jasper and Beatrice; special sister-in-law, Lorna (Dermot) Chisholm; brothers-in-law, Carmen Hatfield and Dave (Mary Anne) MacEachern; and loved nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Catherine and Dan R. Punch; his birth mother, Delina Babin; sisters-in-law, Vange Hatfield and Marie (Angus) MacDonald; and brothers-in-law, Eddie and Billy Grant.
Family, friends, and loved ones are invited to honour and share in his memory. Visitation will be held at C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish on Sunday, October 20th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral mass will be held at St. Peter’s Church, Tracadie on Monday, October 21st at 11am with Father John Barry presiding. The burial will take place in the parish cemetery.
We thank the Palliative Care team at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital and the many friends and family who supported us during this difficult time.
Donations in memory can be made to the St. Peter’s Parish, Tracadie or the Tracadie & District Volunteer Fire Department.
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